Find the Best Gay Bars in Providence | Gayborhood

Providence's Gayborhood

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Discover a wonderful gay-friendly oasis in charming Providence

With a bustling nightlife, a rich history, a vibrant artistic scene, and numerous music and culinary offerings, Providence is living proof that a small city in a small state can have a gay community just as active as large coast cities. Founded on the visionary principles of freedom and acceptance, Providence is the first capital city in the United States with an openly gay mayor. You will find here an eclectic crowed made up of open-minded community and openly gay people.

Home to seven colleges and universities, including Rhode Island Institute of Design, Brown and Johnson & Wales, Providence attracts a stream of students and academics, which bring life and energy to the city.

Even though there is no central gay neighborhood in Providence, you can find numerous gay-friendly venues or gay establishments downtown. Unlike most cities, Providence has a friendly lesbian scene, with a few joints dedicated to female performers.

Besides gay clubs and nightclubs, Providence has a lot to offer to art lovers – the city is packed with art galleries, live music venues, and theaters all at within walking distance of each other.

Club Body Center

Located in downtown Providence, within walking distance of several gay bars, Club Body Center is a popular men’s bathhouse. Visited by gays from all around the area, you will find here an interesting crowd of leather daddies and beefy butch guys. Club Body Center welcomes all types and all fetishes.

As220

An artist-run organization, cultivating creative spirits, As220 is a popular venue among the local art’s community and open-minded people. The spot also contains a performance space, featuring theater plays, dance, films, literary events, and an art gallery showcasing the work of more than 150 artists.

Dark Lady

Visited by both gay men and lesbians, Dark Lady is one of Providence’s top dance clubs. Whether it’s a drag show, the go-go dancers, a karaoke night, or a women’s night, there’s usually something for everyone at their parties.

Roots Cultural Center

Since it’s opening in 2011, Roots Cultural Center created a unique environment, representing the diverse art community of Providence. A venue for unusual events, from tap dancer to film and open discussions about race, gay marriage, and sexual discriminations, Roots offered a place of expression to everyone.

Mirror Bar

A popular gay hangout for decades, Mirror Bar is one of the liveliest dance floors in the city. Head here to dance, mingle with a diverse crowd, and enjoy a variety of theme nights, such as drag shows, strip poker nights, or karaoke.

Eagle

Leather, uniforms, bears, Levi’s, and everything in between, Eagles is everything you’d expected it to be. You’ll probably be more comfortable wearing your leather and Levi’s, but even without them, you’ll have no problem having a good time. There is no dance floor and video monitors often play porn.

Rue De L’Espoir

Located in hip Fox Point neighborhood, Rue de L’Espoir is a chic French-American bistro. An amalgamation of academics, gays, and tourists, the place is a popular hangout, especially on weekends.

The Salon

The Salon is a gay-friendly dance club, excellent for after-work drinks, a casual neighborhood meet-up, or late-night bash. Drag shows, comedy shows, open mics, and concerts are hosted regularly.

The Scurvy Dog

Calling it itself a source of “beer, booze, and rock-n-roll”, Scurvy Dog Bar is well known for its nice lineup of beers and for attracting the cooler crowds. Gay-friendly, the spot manages to pull in an interesting mixture of gay, straights, hipsters, punks, tattooed dudes, and artsy types.

The Stable

Hip without taking itself too seriously, with a friendly stuff and reasonably priced drinks, The Stable is the perfect place to start the night. The crowd is mix – male, females, straights, gays and bis – and they are all nice and eager to mingle.

Viva Mexico

Known for its delicious Mexican food and for its lively bar, Viva Mexico is a popular hangout for the gay crowd in Providence. Its bar offers a wide variety of sangria, margaritas, and tequila shots.

Rhode Island Pride

For over three decades, Providence’s gay community strives to educate the larger community towards acceptance, independence and freedom of expression. The event takes place every year during the second half of June.

AIDS Project Rhode Island

AIDS Project Rhode Island was founded approximately 30 years ago as a non-profit organization dedicated to providing compassionate and non-judgmental response to those infected, affected, and at-risk of HIV/AIDS.

Providence Biltmore

Located in the heart of downtown Providence, minutes away from the city’s most exclusive shipping and dining areas, the Providence Biltmore is a landmark hotel, renowned for its world-class service standard. Guests can enjoy the hotel’s full-service spa (the only on-site hotel spa in town), a fully equipped fitness center, a restaurant, and a Starbucks located in the grand lobby.

This gay-friendly restaurant serves delicious food and has a thoughtfully curated wine and beer list, but its charming ambiance and its attentive service make for a great evening.

Pakarang

A change of scenery and flavors, Pakarang offers exquisite Thai food that will satisfy adventurous foodies.

Bailey Banks & Biddle

More than a sophisticated jewelry store, Baily Banks & Biddle is a shopping experience that appeals to the needs and desires of today’s buyers. Browse on their website to find spectacular treasures at incredible prices.

Chianti’s Italian Cuisine

Dine on authentic Italian cuisine while your experience is enriched by classic Italian music amongst grape vines. Set in a light atmosphere, Chianti’s strive to offer its guests a genuine Italian experience.

Shuttavac

Shuttavac Productions is one of the most well known lesbian bars in Providence. Home to some of the biggest events dedicated to the lesbian community, Shuttavac is a great place for ladies to hang out or meet new people.

Providence manages to satisfy every taste and need – from leather daddy joints to go-go boys venues to gay-friendly restaurants, shops, spas and salons, there is something for everyone. So, what’s the best gay hot spot in Providence?